Introduction: Workbench With Hidden Features

By YouTube Nikita Maree
About: Hello, I'm Niki. I like to make things and save money while I am doing it.

I am so glad I made time to build this workbench. Before this I was working on a stack of pallets.

This is the process involved in building this outside workbench, made from logs and pallet wood,
as well as some really useful Hidden Features that I have incorporated into this build.

Supplies

Made from mostly what I had laying around the yard.

  • Pallet palings
  • Pallet stringers
  • Logs
  • An old length of hardwood
  • Batten screws
  • Chipboard screws
  • PVA glue

Step 1:

Placed my first full length log in line with the house. Started attaching the palings with batten screws

to both the log and the corner post of the house.

Step 2:

I varied the lengths of the palings on the log side, to give it a bit more character.

Step 3:

After I finished filling in the back wall I moved on to the right hand side.

Step 4:

Placed another log where I wanted the front leg to be, and filled in the side with palings.

Step 5:

For the bench frame I used pallet stringers.
Picked my ideal bench height and checked that my right hand wall and back wall were level.

Step 6:

Pre-drilled three holes in the overhang.

Step 7:

Grabbed another stringer, batten-screw them together with PVA glue in between them.
Did the same thing again until my back beam was the length that I needed.

Step 8:

For the back post, I notched out a seat for my back beam to rest on.

Step 9:

Put the last log post in position and started filling in the left hand side with pallet palings.

Step 10:

Time to work on the front beam.
Cut the front two logs off at bench height.

Step 11:

PVA glue and batten screw your stringers together until you have a full length beam.

Step 12:

Filling in the gap, and I made sure to keep the batten screws on the inside edge to give the front face

a cleaner looking finish.

Step 13:

Mark your overhangs and cut them off, flush with the front face.

Step 14:

Frame up the back log. This is what i will end up attaching the bench top to.

Step 15:

We had a length of hardwood laying around and I used this for the middle beam.

Step 16:

I used the jigsaw to custom cut the shape of the log.

Step 17:

I pre-drill and chamfer the holes in each paling, before attaching them.

Step 18:

And I just used cheap 35mm chipboard screws.

Step 19:

Already started using my bench and I love it.

Step 20:

I added a support under the middle beam.
I dug this one into the ground and sat it on a brick just to prevent anything from sinking over time.

Step 21:

Little helper ♥

Step 22:

The paling sequence on the bench is three full lengths and then half lengths joined in the center beam,

three full lengths again and so on. The reason for this sequence will become apparent very soon.

Step 23:

I have added a permanent straight edge that is attached right into the middle beam underneath.

Step 24:

I use this straight edge for many things, but my favorite would be attaching my crosscut jig.
I place the crosscut jig on top, and yes that is also made of pallet wood. 😉

Really easy and really quick to cut everything to the exact same length.

Step 25:

So now for some of those hidden features.
One thing I really loved about working on pallets, that I knew I had to incorporate into this bench,

was the fact that it was so easy to clamp a piece on its side.

Step 26:

This is useful for hand planing or even chiselling out a notch to attach a hinge.

Step 27:

I overcame this issue in my bench by keeping this board free.

I still added screws so it looked the part, but I cut them off on the backside.

Step 28:

And here I am testing it out.

Step 29:

The other thing I came to enjoy about working on a stack pallets,

was having both sides of your timber supported while you are cutting it.

Step 30:

And this is where those half lengths from earlier come into play.

So every fourth board is able to be removed.

Step 31:

This is really useful when you are working with really long lengths of timber.

Step 32:

So another thing I like to do is clamp on the inside of the bench.

I often use this technique when I need to rip a paling down the center.

Step 33:

And it is done. I'm so glad I finally got around to making it.

I have more DIY pallet wood builds over on YouTube.

And I would love to have you there ♥

YouTube Nikita Maree